My first in e-Intouch
In the past month (from 21st March) I have received more than 1,400 constituent emails.
These emails are a combination of
- Vulnerable people needing help getting the food/ deliveries they need
- People needing help to navigate the benefits system
- Issues with employers
- Businesses in need of support
- Repatriating people from across the world (you can read Mr and Mrs L's harrowing escape below!)
- General concerns regarding Coronavirus
- Emails about policy issues
For those with urgent concerns, I am available 7 days a week. If you know anyone that needs help please ask them to get in touch with me directly.
Picture above: My call with our Local Resilience Forum earlier today
In addition, I have lots of weekly meetings and I’m kept updated daily by our local NHS and speak regularly to our Local Resilience Forum, North Lincolnshire Council, our Chief Constable and local Councillors.
To help ensure our frontline staff are protected I worked with North Lincolnshire Council to get more PPE for our area. If you know of frontline workers struggling with PPE it is important for them to contact the PPE Hotlines for NHS staff 08000 915 9964, and for care homes 0800 915 9965.
I also regularly work with my Parliamentary colleagues and Ministers to campaign for more support for British Steel, furloughed employees, businesses, and the self-employed. I campaigned to widen the furlough scheme to those on agency and zero-hours contracts and for the furlough scheme to be enhanced to include more people.
I know times are very hard, but we can get through this together. Just remember to help those around you, and stay at home to protect the NHS, save lives.
Latest Local News
Sad departure of a dear friend
You may have heard the sad news that Cllr Derek Longcake passed away recently from Corona Virus. Derek was a great local councillor for Bottesford and a really lovely man and he will be sadly missed by many. Our thoughts are with Derek’s wife Janet and their family at this time. Derek’s death is a tragic reminder that this virus can strike anywhere and we must all remain vigilant and do our bit to protect the NHS and keep each other safe.
Antisocial behaviour/ non-compliance of social distancing
I have heard many reports of Antisocial behaviour and social distancing non-compliance, in particular in the town centre and around Frodingham Road.
I raised this directly with the Chief Constable during our weekly meeting. If you're facing similar experiences please let the police know via their website by clicking here.
I also noticed on Facebook that there was some particularly nasty graffiti in Ashby, I’m pleased to say it was quickly dealt with by NLC. Please do let me know as soon as possible if you see this kind of thing.
Issues with our supermarkets
I have contacted major supermarket chains to express our concerns regarding the lack of social distancing rules and facilities in some cases.
I have been told that additional measures will be put in place in the coming days and weeks – thank you to everyone who has let me know about these issues.
Separately I am pleased to that delivery slots are becoming increasingly available, I check most days and noticed that there have been slots available at Morrisons and have heard that slots have become available at Tesco – please keep checking.
Northern Roundabout
North Lincolnshire Council has confirmed that a contractor has been secured to start work on the northern roundabout.
Initial groundworks will start in the coming weeks.
Government funding secured in January for the new £4.5m junction where the M181 meets Brumby Common Lane in Scunthorpe
Another aim is to reduce traffic congestion at the existing Berkeley Circle junction and elsewhere in the town.
Woodlands Crematorium
A few of you have raised with me the issue with not being able to visit the cemetery at Woodlands Crematorium. I agree with the Government that people should be able to visit cemeteries during this time.
The difficulty is that the cemetery is currently considered as the same "unit" as the Crematorium, which, for good reason, has stringent social distancing guidelines. I have asked NLC to treat the Crematorium separately from the cemetery for this purpose.
I have also spoken to my Ministerial colleagues to ask for the Government to provide more guidance on this matter.
Update (23/04/2020): Progress has been made and you can now visit the cemetery. More details here: https://www.hollymumbycroft.org.uk/news/campaign-success-woodlands-crematorium-be-re-opened
Repatriation Case - an escape from Goa
I have been busy helping people who found themselves stranded in different parts of the world get back to Scunthorpe. Below is the experience from Mr and Mrs L who have found themselves stuck in India.
If you know of anyone who is currently "stranded" in other parts of the world please ask them to get in touch with me directly as soon as possible. The sooner we know where they are, the quicker we can help.
An escape from Goa
What was supposed to be a nice trip to Goa (India) turned out to be a nightmare when Coronavirus struck.
Due to the stringent lockdown in Goa we found ourselves prisoners in a foreign land. There was limited news, choppy reception, and bad internet that allowed us to barely get in touch with our friends at home. Ticlo Hotel which we lodged in did their best despite the circumstances, and on one or two occasions we had to sneak some food across the gate to give to another British couple who were not as lucky with their hotel.
With flight after flight being cancelled, we grew increasingly anxious and frustrated. In desperation, we contacted Holly and her team who liaised with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the local embassy on our behalf. Whilst progress was being made they kept us updated (including during the weekends) and after overstaying for 3 weeks we received an email from the FCO, instructing us to wait by a bus stop the following day.
In the morning we packed up and waited at our assigned stop. Surely enough, a minibus soon emerged from the horizon. I will never forget the feeling of being whisked away at dawn whilst sitting in solemnity with others, hoping for home. We whizzed through the previously buzzing streets and bazaars, now left uncharacteristically still.
Eventually, we arrived at the airport and got on the plane chartered by our government, destined for Stanstead. When we finally took off everyone on our plane cheered - it was the end of a nightmare for all of us!
Throughout the whole ordeal, I was lucky to receive support from my friends and my neighbours. Holly and her team have been exceptionally supportive - we know that because the other couple at our hotel didn't get the same treatment from their MP. I have no doubt that Holly has made a difference in securing our flight home.
We just want to let those who are in our situation know that we know how difficult things are right now. There is some hope out there, and this nightmare will be over, and if you have contacted Holly you are in good hands.
Mr and Mrs L
Supporting our local businesses and community
Helping Scunthorpe businesses make the best of Government Schemes
Helping Scunthorpe businesses make the best of Government Schemes
Since the outbreak, I have worked directly with businesses across Scunthorpe to keep them afloat and save jobs. If you own a business and would like help navigating the Government's support please get in touch with me and either myself or someone from my team will give you a call.
So far I have
- Stood up to banks to help local businesses secure loans through the Government's "Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme", to save jobs.
- Worked with NLC to ensure Businesses get their Government grants
- Helped and encouraged local businesses to make the best use out of the Government's furlough scheme, especially staff who have been asked to "shield" from COVID-19.
£20million Government funding to local protect jobs
£20m of Government cash has been given to businesses across North Lincolnshire to protect local businesses and jobs.
Over 1,200 businesses have received the cash grants from a pot of £32m which has been made available as part of a raft of packages to support businesses.
The money, being administered by North Lincolnshire Council, has been made available to small businesses across the region with additional reductions in business rates being applied to retailers, leisure companies and those in the hospitality sector. Nurseries and pubs have also been given support.
My view:
“I have been working closely with more than 50 businesses in Scunthorpe since the beginning of this crisis. My priority has always been to ensure our SMEs and employees are protected during this difficult time.
The Council and the Government have essentially provided local SMEs with the lifeline. I know personally a few businesses that would have had to shut down, or wouldn’t have been able to pay their employees without it.
The Government have provided £32m in total and I would urge any business to make contact with the council – payments are often being made in a couple of days. If you experience any difficulties or need assistance please don’t hesitate to make contact with my office.”
Grants of £10,000 are available for eligible businesses for relief under the small business rate relief scheme or rural rate relief scheme. Companies in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector can also get hold of £10,000 grants if they have a rateable value of up to £15,000 and were eligible for retail relief on 11 March. Grants of £25,000 are available for businesses with a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on the same date.
In addition to grant funding, the Government has enhanced the Retail Discount to 100 per cent in 2020/21 and expanded it to include leisure and hospitality businesses while removing the upper rateable value limit. This means that, in 2020/21, a significant number of businesses within North Lincolnshire will not pay any business rates.
For those already in receipt of Retail Discount, accounts are being automatically adjusted to apply the 100 per cent discount.
Extra coronavirus funding for frontline charities
Local charities could benefit from the recent announcement that there will be a Government £750 million package of support to ensure they can continue their vital work during the coronavirus outbreak
- £750 million pot for frontline charities across the UK – including hospices and those supporting domestic abuse victims
- £360 million direct from government departments
- £370 million for smaller charities, including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund
My view:
“Our local charities are already playing a significant role to support residents through the coronavirus, often backed by an army of volunteers. The Government is determined to support and match this generosity. My team and I are currently working with charities such as our re-introduced St John Ambulance (Scunthorpe) to secure more funding.
If you run a community group and would like some advice or help to complete a funding bid, please make contact with my office and we will arrange a telephone or online consultation.”
Alongside the updates above my team and I have continued to assist local people with non-corona related issues and we will continue to do so. I am prioritising urgent casework, coronavirus related issues, business and repatriation issues and this means that policy-related responses will be delayed, thank you for your patience.
If you need help, please get in touch.